Two Old Ball Players

When it was clear that Bill was dying, Bob visited him every day.

One day Bob said, 'Bill, we both loved playing baseball all our lives, and we played all through High School. Please do me one favor: when you get to Heaven, somehow you must let me know if there's baseball there.'

Bill looked up at Bob from his deathbed and said, 'Bob, you've been my best friend for many years. If it's at all possible, I'll do this favor for you.'

Shortly after that, Bill passed on.

A few nights later, Bob was awakened from a sound sleep by a blinding flash of white light and a voice calling out to him, 'Bob, Bob.'

'Who is it', asked Bob, sitting up suddenly. 'Who is it?'

'Bob -- it's me, Bill.'

'You're not Bill. Bill just died.'

'I'm telling you, it's me, Bill,' insisted the voice.

'Bill! Where are you?'

'In Heaven,' replied Bill. 'I have some really good news and a little bad news.'

'Tell me the good news first,' said Bob.

'The good news,' Bill said, 'is that there's baseball in Heaven. Better yet all of our old buddies who died before us are here, too. Better than that, we're all young again. Better still, it's always springtime, and it never rains or snows. And best of all, we can play baseball all day long, and we never get tired.'

'That's fantastic,' said Bob. 'It's beyond my wildest dreams!
So what's the bad news?'

'You're pitching Tuesday.'

42 Years of Excellence

Leaders are born and not made. Two such leaders are former Dodger managers Walt Alston and Tommy Lasorda. Both were longtime minor league players whose dreams fell just a little short of their big league aspirations. Walt striking out in his only at bat as a first baseman for the St Louis Cardinals in 1936 and Tommy wrapped two short seasons, for the Brooklyn Dodgers and one for the Kansas City A's, between 15 years of a successful minor league career. In fact, Tommy was the International Leagues MVP in 1958 with the Dodgers Montreal Royals.

Both men realized that baseball was in their blood and that to remain in the game they would have to do so in another capacity. Walt went into coaching, first as a minor league player-coach and then as a minor league manager. Tommy took a position as a scout for the Dodgers in 1961 and remained in that capacity for 4 seasons when he became the manager of the Pocatello Chiefs the Dodgers Rookie League club.

Alston was named manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, replacing Charlie Dressen, and Tommy followed Walt in 1976 after serving as his third base coach for three years. Both men took to managing the Dodgers like they were born to it. For those 42 consecutive years they blazed a path of winning baseball that will long be remembered by fans, of both the Dodgers and baseball, for generations to come.

Walter Emmons Alston managed the Dodgers to seven National League Pennants and four World Series Championships, (including the only World Championship the borough of Brooklyn was to ever savour). He won 2,040 National League games and had a remarkable 23 post season victories in an era when almost all of those wins were garnered in the World Series. Another legendary feat was his winning 7 All Star games for the National League in all seven of his All Star appearances. Walt had his number 24 retired by the Dodgers and was then inducted to Baseballs Hall of Fame in 1983 the year before his death.

Thomas Charles Lasorda managed the Los Angeles Dodgers to eight Western Division titles, four National League Pennants and two World Series Championships. He won 1,599 National League games and managed an astounding 61 post season games. His managing career was sadly cut short after he suffered a heart attack in June of 1996. Tommy did, however, come out of retirement to manage the United States Olympic team to a Gold Medal over the heavily favored Cuban team in 2000. Tommy had his number 2 retired by the Dodgers before his induction into Cooperstown.

Which was better? It really is anyone's call. Walt and Tommy were both incredible in their own way. Alston with his quiet tactical approach and Lasorda with his brash outspoken cheerleader persona. I'll just withhold my opinion for now with the knowledge that the Dodgers, as an organization, where so incredibly lucky to to have had them both.

Are You an Apple or a Grape

Health Care

I have been sitting at my computer this morning reading comments from regular Americans regarding the healthcare bill signed into law by our President. It is almost laughable how many people make decisions based soley on sound bites, (and it is obvious that most of the negative views came directly from Fox News), instead of actually reading the bill. I've read it. It may have taken me almost as long to get through it as Congress took to hagle over it but I did get through it.

I stopped reading the comments when it became painfully clear that the vast majority for the bill and against it have the strongest of opinions but seriously don't have a clue regarding what the bill really will do.

This country isn't going down any river... Just like it didn't when Civil Rights was passed... Just like when Equal Rights was passed.... Just like when Roe v Wade was passed... All those doomsday laws that were passed.... Yet we are still here.... Furthermore, I cannot see how any one can claim themselves to be an American, when you wish ill will of your neighbor...People say healthcare is a privilage and not a right??.... Have you spoken to your neighbor, who works full time, yet cannot get health insurance, because the owner of the business cannot afford it??... Or how about your other neighbor, who is self-employed, and has a child or spouse with pre-existing conditions... No you haven't.. Because if you had, you would never call it a privilage... You have never had to succumb to what many have had to deal with in this lifetime... With this bill, it guarantees you will never have to... I have health issues, and I have a right for preventive care. I have worked and paid taxes for some 37 years and was diagnosed with an incurable form of cancer and I was insured and working 70 hours a week at the time. Now I can not buy insurance at any price...I have parents on medicare, and I am fully aware of the donut hole. If my father were to die today my mother would be left with nothing but Medicare and there would be no carrier willing to sell her any supplemental insurance because of pre-existing conditions.... We all have the right to the same freedoms... Freedom from fear of losing our homes due to medical costs... Freedom from fear of bankruptcy... Equality in having the same leverage as any Americans do to negotiate our costs... I have the right to the same "privilages" as anyone does, we all do... We aren't talking about cell phones, tv's and other luxuries.. We are talking about necessities of life...Many talk about the government interferring with our lives... Yet not a single citezen has a problem with them trying to get the insurance companies to lower costs... That is more infringement than requiring everyone to have health care... Passing laws stating I have to wear a seatbelt when I drive, is more infringement than guaranting parents that they won't be burdened with the costs of their children's diseases.. or risk losing their lives... ... People are yelling about socialism, yet they demand this country to provide them with jobs... How many of you plan on passing on medicare when you turn 65?? How many will insist on paying for your own health insurance plan when you are 70??... Not a single one of you will.. So learn the language people... Some people putting this bill down and claiming it is socialism, yet they demand different types of services, which is still socialism... So you can yell all you want from the balcony, but once onstage, it's a whole different ballgame....

And last, the folks screaming the loudest are worried that they will be "forced" to pay for insurance and in so doing will be paying for freeloaders. Let's be serious. Who doesn't want coverage? If your job already supplies it there will be no change for you at all. If your child has an illness you can buy them coverage anyway. Is this bad? People in this country are amusing. They will give and give and give to Haiti or Columbia or any other nations people but they want to complain when they "have to" pay a $350 fine on their IRS return that will help offset the high cost of coverage for needy Americans.

Please, if you are against this bill I am sure you either have not read it or are just an unfeeling and uncaring sociopathic individual simply unable to to see the forrest for the trees.

Take the time to read this bill here in a PDF format: http://docs.house.gov/rules/health/111_ahcaa.pdf

Ramon Spelled Backward By Any Other Name 8-31-1996/ 3-10-2010

Yep, even before he was born he was one of a kind. I would have loved to be there when his parents combined each of their last names to give him his. Then Ramon wasn't exactly what they wanted for their son so they decided on spelling it backward. That was how Nomar Garciapara entered this life. I doubt anyone back then had the slightest idea just how great that life would become.
The first time I knew anything about Nomar was back in the early 1990's when I was treated to watching a young phenom at shortstop playing in the College World Series for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. They lost that World Series Championship game to the Miami Hurricanes but no one made a bigger impression. Soon after he was drafted #1 in baseballs 1994 draft by the Boston Red Sox and blossomed quickly in their minor leagues until the Sox realized he was too talented to not be on the Major League scene. They brought him up in the summer of 1996 but the Boston starting shortstop was John Valentin who's play the previous year was so good he was in the MVP conversation. Still, playing sparingly, as a defensive replacement he saw enough time to force the Sox to move Valentine to 2'nd base and begin his tenure as Boston's starting shortstop. It proved to be a smart move as Garciapara won the 1997 American League Rookie of the Year award by a unanimous vote and was selected to his first of 5 American League All Star teams.
I became a huge Nomar fan during those years and loved to watch him redefine the Shortstop position. The horrible wrist injury he suffered in 2001 was only the first of many aches and pains that would plague him for the rest of his career but watching him was still a delight. His intensity and fire was so evident with every quirky adjustment to those batting gloves or kick of the dirt on the infield.
After being traded from the Red Sox to the Cubs in 2004 Garciapara's former teamates went on to win the World Series in a 4 game sweep of the Cardinals. Anyone who wonders what kind of a teamate Nomar was need not wonder anymore. Those former Red Sox teamates voted Nomar Garciapara a full winners share of the World Series bonus!
It was a big thrill for me when Garciapara was traded from the Cubs to the Dodgers in 2006 so I could see one of my favorite players playing on my favorite team. It was a miraculous year! Nomar made his first National League All Star team and was a league leader in hitting. He won the National Leagues Comeback Player of the Year and provided the Dodgers with a proven player to lead them in the pennant chase all summer. The day I will never forget, that season, was a home game against the Padres in late September. San Diego got off to a fast start and led the Dodgers by 4 runs in the 9'th inning of the game. The Dodgers set a team record with 4 solo home runs hit by 4 different players consecutively to tie the game. Seems like everyone remembers that but few, it seems, remember the Padres taking a 1 run lead right back in the 10'th. The Dodgers appeared to have blown the chance to win a comeback game for the ages when with one man on in the bottom of the 10'th Nomar slugged a two run walk off home run to win that game in grand style. If that wasn't enough less than a week later Gaciapara broke a 1-1 tie against Arizona with a Grand Slam walk of HR. His clutch performances continued the last two weeks of the season and he led Los Angeles to the Playoffs.
In 2007 injuries jumped up and bit him again and plagued him for the rest of his career.
Last year my sister and I went to Arizona for Spring Training to see the Dodgers but took a day to drive over to Phoenix Municipal Stadium to watch Nomar play 3'rd base for the Oakland A's in a game against the Cubs. He did not disappoint us as he smacked two base knocks and a pair of RBI's while playing a perfect defensive game. I also took my son to Oakland to see him a few times because I knew the end was near.
Well, yesterday Nomar Garciapara signed a 1 day contract with the Boston Red Sox and announced his retirement back with the team it all started with. It was a sad day for baseball and a sad day for me and millions of other fans.
Good luck at ESPN Nomar and thanks for the memories!

March 10, 2010 Number 3 is Gone

I took this photograph of Willie Davis at Fan Appreciation day at Dodger Stadium in 1970. Just to be there was thrilling but to be so near my favorite Dodger was almost more than I could stand. At that time I had my bedroom decor in what I will call Early Dodger Colonial with the centerpiece being a full color poster of Dodger Centerfielder Willie Davis. Before that September day in 1970 the closest I had been to him was either when the Dodgers visited the Giants at Candelstick Park or listening to descriptions of his exploits over the airwaves as described by Vin Scully. To this day I think Willie was as exciting a player I have ever seen. His 1'st to third speed was second to none and had he played in another era with the mound lowered and pitching talent diluted his numbers would have been astronomical. With all of that said, it was the way I felt when I rooted Willie and the Dodgers on that endeared me to him so strongly. It is the saddness I feel today, with his passing, that reminds me of all he gave to me and others all those years ago. Willie Davis will be missed, this I am sure of, because if no one else remembers I know I do.
Take care Willie.

LA Marathon Raises Funds for Think Cure

The NPN LA 5K Run/Walk starts at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, March 20 in conjunction with the 25th Honda LA Marathon

ThinkCure!, a partnership formed by the Dodgers and the McCourt Family with City of Hope and Childrens Hospital LA, will take part in the NPN LA 5K Run/Walk that begins at Dodger Stadium at 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 20. ThinkCure! invites Dodger fans to join its collaborative effort in raising money for cancer research by signing up for or sponsoring a participant in the 5K run or LA Marathon. Employees will join fans on the ThinkCure! team in memory of Desiree Sanchez, the Dodgers' longtime manager of ticket operations who recently lost her battle to cancer.
"You can walk or run the 5k at your leisure as a member of the ThinkCure! team," said President of ThinkCure! Janet Clayton. "This can be a great family outing that encourages fitness, helps a great cause and raises funding for institutions that serve the people of greater Los Angeles and for some, can serve as an act of remembrance and support of a loved one."
To date, ThinkCure! supporters who are walking the 5k or running the LA marathon have raised $20,000 to advance cancer treatment. Fans interested in participating in the NPN LA 5K Run/Walk or the LA Marathon can visit www.thinkcure.org/5K for more information. Participants who walk or run for ThinkCure! receive ThinkCure! t-shirts and access to the on site ThinkCure! tent for healthy snacks. The NPN LA 5k's course map and parking information can be found at http://www.lamarathon.com/event/5k-run

This is a very personal issue for me and I want to thank and commend the folks at Think Cure for all they have done in founding this organization and for their continued support.